Here it is - posted by Dee many times
CarolD was one of my dearest friends here and a woman I respected.
When she passed she had over 20 years of recovery, and she leaves a great legacy here, not only in the many forums she modded, but in Newcomers forums too...
Here's a cobbled together post of some of her tips to deal with cravings
Quote:
Originally Posted by CarolD
Lots of recent threads about cravings...here is what
worked for me in early sobriety.
Sharing from my files with hope it helps someone....
I think there are 2 types of cravings
perhaps a mixture?
One type is more a habit than physical.
You drive home and your car steers into your favorite bar or package store.
You come home tired...sit in 'your: chair' and want the usual comfort of a glass/can in hand....To sleep better...toss down a drink.
These can be avoided by changing your routine
Drive a different route
Change the furniture around..sit in a different place.
Fix a glass of anything non alcoholic.
If you drink booze from a can...use a glass
If you did drink from a glass...use a mug
I did time my cravings in early sobriety .
Mine were 5 to 7 minutes in duration.
seemed forever...but that was false.
I took action....drank cold water ...brushed my teeth
went for a walk...danced around the room...ate Lifesavers
My doctor said I did not require meds for de toxing...but agreed that
I could follow a healthy eating plan for hypoglycemia instead.
I used the one in 'Under The Influence" by Milam and Ketcham.
I consider this helped with cravings.
I was also taking a multi vitamin and a B 12
I re connected with God....very comforting for me....I prayed often...still do..
I also attended AA daily...walked often....cut out caffeine...
I quit hanging out in bars and with drinkers..
instead I made new friends in AA who shared my new goals.
Within 2 weeks my cravings lessened immensely... in both
intensity and duration
By 2 months they vanished
Have not returned in 20 years..
Shared with the hope that some of y'all will use any and all
of my experience to continue or find your way in to recovery.
Yes....you too can win over alcohol..
Please feel free to add your own tips and suggestions for dealing with cravings from your own experience
D